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Youth Link Southern Indiana began over 20 years ago with one goal in mind – to support the overwhelmed teachers in the schools so that they, in turn, could support the students. Today, the organization exists to work with parents and teachers to help tear down the barriers that prevent kids from succeeding.
Formerly under the national organization known as Communities in Schools,the program initially started with two schools in Clark County that aimed to provide academic support, mental health support, and help meet the basic needs of students.
“Being part of the national organization was great, but we felt that every school was essentially like each different county, each with individual needs that needed to be met,” said Executive Director, Jerry Leonard. “That’s when we decided that if we can do more, have more freedom and really tailor our programs to the needs of the individual schools, then we should. We decided to break away from the national program and changed our name to Youth Link Southern Indiana. The new name fits perfectly with what we actually do, linking youth to pathways of success.”
Today, Youth Link Southern Indiana serves over 2,300 students in over 19 schools in Clark and Floyd counties. “Our mission statement is about removing the barriers so that students can reach their full potential,” said Leonard.
This past 2022-2023 school year, with the help of funds from the Samtec Cares grant, the organization was able to add a Resource Coordinator at New Albany High School in their Bulldog Resource Center. Resource Coordinators are sent to schools to work with specific teachers and provide one-on-one and small group tutoring, and help serve as an extra hand in the classroom.
Resource Coordinators also organize the 321 Read Program, a volunteer led program that assists struggling readers with one-on-one weekly sessions of reading to and with the student. “Our 321 Read Program volunteers will meet with a student for 30 minutes each week and utilize various techniques to help them build their reading skills, figuring out what works best for the student. Each time the volunteer goes back, they take a new book and the student gets to take that book home. So, every time they are going, they are building up their home library and the volunteer is building a relationship with the student as you’re reading with them,” explained Leonard.
Volunteers remain with the student throughout their school years, providing consistency and stability to the student.. “It’s more than just reading a book,” said Leonard. “You’re building a relationship, you’re building a mentorship, and you’re becoming a role model…you’ll see their self image and their excitement grow.”
Why volunteer? “Why not?” said Leonard. “I mean, look at the impact. You look at that child’s face and you watch that child grow, you see them change, and you know that you’ve made a difference. They are going to know and remember that too…it’s just extra special because you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
HELP OUT
Youthlinksi.org ● (812) 280-0028
